legwork

noun

leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk 

 also  ˈlāg-

: active physical work (as in gathering information) that forms the basis of more creative or mentally exacting work (such as writing a book)

Examples of legwork in a Sentence

I wrote the article myself, but my assistant gathered the information and did most of the other legwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

Offering to do some of the legwork to track a clinician down can go a long way. —Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2025

DeFranco said Cotton Incorporated’s clients tend to be very busy and don’t have time to get out of the office and do legwork on their own. —Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

While lawyers and their staff do much of the legwork for trial preparation, a client works with their attorneys to help formulate a defense. —The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025

Marcy did the legwork, and within 30 minutes an unidentified New York number showed up on my phone screen. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

legwork

noun

leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk 

: the work involved in gathering information